Department for Transport

Train Operating Companies: Compensation

lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Sugg on 18 June (HL8241), what steps, if any, they are taking to obtain from National Rail the level of compensation paid to Train Operating Companies for each year since 2010 to mitigate the loss of revenue in ticket sales.

baroness sugg: Compensation is paid by Network Rail (NR) to Train Operating Companies for planned disruption on the network (Schedule 4 Payments) and, depending on the actual performance of both Network Rail and the train operator, Network Rail may pay compensation for unplanned disruption (Schedule 8 payments). NR publish this information from 2011/12 at the link below under ‘Payments for disruption on the railway made under schedule 8’ and ‘Payments for planned disruption on the railway made under schedule 4 and the corresponding ACS’. https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/transparency-and-ethics/transparency/datasets/ Please note that these values in these tables are based on the invoices Network Rail have received up until November 2017 and are therefore subject to change, as and when historic disputes are settled. I attach those tables for ease. For 2010/11 the figures can be found in Network Rail’s regulatory accounts at the link below under ‘Regulatory accounts archive 2002-2016’. https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/publications-resources/financial/ For ease I have replicated the figures below: Schedule 4 net cost in 2010/11 £128mSchedule 8 net cost in 2010/11 £56m   



Table - Schedule 4
(Excel SpreadSheet, 27.2 KB)




Table  - Schedule 8
(Excel SpreadSheet, 26.63 KB)

Railways

baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their policy on the declassification of First Class rail carriages on a temporary basis during periods of very high demand; and what procedures must be followed by train operating companies in respect of passengers who have purchased First Class tickets for services which are subsequently declassified.

baroness sugg: Declassifying First Class is a decision for operators to take. However, the Department for Transport expects operators to take into account levels of overcrowding as a result of service disruption. The conditions for refunding a first class ticket is covered under Section 31 of the National Rail Conditions of Travel. The passenger may claim a refund if the train they are travelling on declassifies First Class. The minimum refund to which the passenger will be entitled will be the difference between the price of the first class ticket purchased and the cheapest valid standard class fare available on the service used.

Aviation

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the EU has banned aviation regulators from having backstop talks with the UK to keep planes flying in the event of a no-deal Brexit; and what is their response.

baroness sugg: Under the terms of the withdrawal agreement the European Aviation Safety Agency basic regulation will continue to apply throughout the time-limited implementation period, but we believe that discussions on EU Exit between aviation regulators would be beneficial at this stage. We are in discussions with Taskforce 50 on this matter but, at present, the European Aviation Safety Agency has not been permitted to talk to the UK Civil Aviation Authority regarding contingency planning. We have full confidence in the Implementation Period but we also have a duty to plan for the alternative.

Railways: EU Action

lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by the Secretary of State for Transport on 14 June (HCWS765), whether they will place in the library of the House a copy of the EU Presidency's progress report on the revised passengers' rightsand obligations Regulation; and whether they intend the UK to comply with the Regulation after Brexit.

baroness sugg: A copy of the progress report will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.On the assumption that the Regulation is adopted and takes effect before the end of the Implementation Period, the rules will become applicable in UK law. It should be noted that many aspects of UK rail passenger rights already go beyond the minimum EU requirements, providing comprehensive protection for passengers. These protections will be unaffected by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the eight month extension for the HS2 civils design may have on the overall construction programme and cost estimate for Phase 1.

baroness sugg: HS2 Ltd is the procurement authority for the Main Works Civils contracts and manages the delivery of milestones within the controls set out by the Department in the Development Agreement and the Framework Document. Following consideration of supplier feedback, the HS2 Ltd Board has recently decided to move the date of Notice to Proceed from 1 March 2019 to 1 June 2019 in order to provide suppliers with additional time to optimise their designs. HS2 Ltd’s latest advice to Government is that Phase One remains on track to deliver HS2 services by 2026 and within the agreed funding envelope, in accordance with the Sponsors’ Requirements as set out in the Development Agreement.

Transport: Sunderland

lord shipley: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the application from Sunderland City Council in July 2016 for funding for Phases 4 and 5 of the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridorwas rejected.

baroness sugg: The application for funding was made under the Large Local Major Schemes Fund which is for schemes that are too high in cost to be funded through the Local Growth Fund - the primary funding source for local transport infrastructure schemes. The bids for Phases 4 and 5 of the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor were declined as ineligible as they were under the funding threshold for the Large Local Majors Fund (£75m for schemes in the North East Local Enterprise Partnership area). Phase 3 of this scheme, which is higher in cost than either of Phases 4 or 5, is being funded through the Local Growth Fund.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Companies

lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government who is responsible for evaluating the role and effectiveness of (1) the Corporate Governance Code, (2) company directors, (3) shareholders, (4) fund managers, and (5) remuneration advisers to Boards of Directors.

lord henley: These matters are addressed through a mixture of legislation, regulation, codes, investor scrutiny and market activity. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is responsible for the UK Corporate Governance Code, the effectiveness of which is regularly reviewed. A revised Code will be published soon, following a public consultation which included proposals to address important issues such as workforce engagement and improving board effectiveness. Company directors must comply with the directors’ duties set out in the Companies Act 2006. The Insolvency Service has powers to prosecute directors for breaches of these duties. The Government keeps directors’ duties under review and has recently tabled draft secondary legislation (The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018) that will, if approved by Parliament, place a new requirement on companies to report annually how their directors are meeting their duty under Section 172 of the Companies Act to have regard to employee and certain other interests.In addition, shareholders vote annually on the appointment or re-appointment of directors and therefore have powers to vote directors off the board where they are dissatisfied with their performance. Under the current UK Corporate Governance Code, a board should also undertake a formal and rigorous annual evaluation of its own performance including the performance of individual directors. In the case of FTSE 350 companies, there should be an externally facilitated evaluation at least every three years with the external facilitator identified for shareholders in the annual report, and with the chairman acting on the findings. Shareholders, where they are regulated, and fund managers must comply with the terms of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, which is enforced by the Financial Conduct Authority. Institutional investors also have fiduciary duties to their clients and must comply with the terms of their investment mandate. Additionally, the UK Stewardship Code sets out best practice for institutional investors in terms of their stewardship responsibilities. The FRC will be consulting on a revised Code later this year. It is the responsibility of a company’s board of directors to assess the effectiveness of remuneration advisers it appoints and a company has a statutory obligation (under Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, as amended in 2013) to disclose certain details in respect of remuneration advisers’ services, including whether and how the remuneration committee has satisfied itself that the advice received was objective and independent. Remuneration policies and reports are additionally subject to shareholder votes.

Drugs: Manufacturing Industries

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the possible effect of Brexit on investment in the pharmaceuticals industry.

lord henley: The UK has one of the strongest and most productive life sciences sectors in the world, the strongest clinical pipeline in Europe, and £29.5bn worth of exports of life science goods in 2017. The Government has been clear that as we exit the European Union continued cooperation is in the best interest of EU and UK patients. We continue to engage with industry to discuss issues with the sector. The Life Sciences Sector Deal is starting to implement the vision of the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy. 2017 saw 60 life science foreign direct investment projects in the UK, the highest level in Europe and 2nd only to the USA - the highest number in the past 7 years and double the number in 2011. Over €750m of private equity was invested in 67 UK projects. We have seen companies within the Life Sciences sector demonstrate their confidence in Britain with major investments announced since the referendum. Denmark's Novo Nordisk is to invest £115m over 10 years in a new science research centre in Oxford; GSK and Regeneron announced an investment in a major research initiative with UK Biobank to co-fund sequencing of the first 50,000 samples for the first year. The Government is undertaking a wide range of ongoing analysis and preparatory work looking at the implications of UK withdrawal from the EU. We continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders in order to inform our negotiations. Ministers have a specific responsibility, which Parliament has endorsed, not to release information that would reveal our negotiating position, so the Government will not provide an ongoing commentary on internal analytical work.

Virgin Money: Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banking Group

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential loss of 1,500 jobs arising from Virgin Money's takeover of the CYBG plc banking group.

lord henley: The Government has made no assessment of potential job losses arising from the takeover announcement. In any case where job losses are announced, HMG stands ready to support employees who may be affected, and Job Centre Plus Rapid Response Service can be swiftly deployed as necessary.

Small Businesses: Billing

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to give the small business commissioner the power to issue fines tolarge companies who make late payments to small businesses.

lord henley: The Small Business Commissioner launched in December 2017 to support small businesses resolve payment disputes and avoid future issues by encouraging a culture change in contract negotiations and payment practices. My rt. hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a call for evidence in the Spring Statement on eliminating unfair payment practices, which will seek views on how the Government can go further to deliver a fair payment culture.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

UK Membership of EU: Referendums

lord tyler: To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they have received from, or discussions they have had with, United States prosecution authorities relating to allegations of money laundering concerning the EU referendum.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​We are not aware of having received information from US prosecution authorities relating to allegations of money laundering concerning the EU referendum, and the Government has had no discussions with them on this subject.

Balkans: Foreign Relations

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the agreement concerning the future name of the Republic of North Macedonia; and what representations they are making to encourage all six western Balkan states to cooperate more closely and to work towards free movement of people, goods and capital.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The Government congratulates Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev on reaching an historic agreement on the Name Issue. Agreement on this long-running issue is a significant achievement which would not have been possible without their leadership, commitment and political courage. Resolution of the Name Issue will bring significant opportunities for both countries and the region more widely, including increased prosperity and security.One of the themes of the Western Balkans Summit in London on 10 July will be strengthening economic stability and opportunity in the region, with a particular focus on improving the business environment, stimulating entrepreneurship, addressing youth unemployment and promoting regional inter-connectivity. This builds on the Western Balkans Regional Economic Area Action Plan, agreed in 2017, which aims to remove barriers to trade and strengthen the regional market.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Brexit

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment theyhave made of the effect that a no-deal Brexit would have on (1) UK consumers, and (2) the cost of living.

lord callanan: We do not want or expect a no deal outcome. However, a responsible government should prepare for all potential outcomes, including the unlikely scenario in which no mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached. The Government is undertaking a wide range of analysis and preparatory work, across a range of scenarios, looking at the implications of UK withdrawal from the EU. We continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders in order to inform our negotiations. Ministers have a specific responsibility, which Parliament has endorsed, not to release information that would reveal our negotiating position and so the Government will not provide an ongoing commentary on internal analytical work.

Department of Health and Social Care

Food: Safety

the countess of mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many competent authorities with responsibility for food standards consulted (1) a public analyst, and (2) a food examiner employed by those authorities when preparing food sampling policies and programmes for 2016–17.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Food Standards Agency does not routinely capture information on the number of competent authorities that have consulted a public analyst and/or a food examiner when preparing their food sampling policies and programmes. However, the Agency requires local authorities to have a food sampling policy and linked sampling programme and that these should be prepared in consultation with the food examiner and/or the public analyst. This consultation may take place on a local or regional basis.

Leuprolide

lord moonie: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many seizures of illegal Lupron have been made in the last 12 months in England and Wales; and what measures, if any, they plan to take to prevent its purchase and import via the internet.

lord o'shaughnessy: Lupron is not an authorised medicine in the United Kingdom. The Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient in Lupron is Leuprorelin which is classed as a prescription only medicine and is present in Prostap 3 which is licensed in the UK.The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has regulatory responsibility for medicines and medical devices. The MHRA has no recorded seizures of Lupron, Leuprolin or Prostap 3.There is provision in medicines regulations for the import of unauthorised medicines for specific use by named patients. In the last five years, there have been 25 notifications of the import of leuprolide/leuprorelin.Additionally, there are no formal restrictions on an individual importing medicines into the UK provided they are strictly for use by that person or a member of their immediate family. Legal controls on the retail sale, supply and advertising of medicines are set out in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. These apply without distinction to medicines advertised, sold or supplied through the internet.Websites offering to supply unauthorised medicines to UK citizens are breaching UK legal requirements. The MHRA investigates reports of illegal activity taking place on a website and, where appropriate, takes enforcement action against suppliers who operate outside the legal requirements. However, considerable illegal activity takes place outside of UK jurisdiction and illegally trading websites identified overseas are referred to the relevant country for appropriate action.

Leuprolide

lord moonie: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much Lupron they estimate to have been legally prescribed in England and Wales last year.

lord o'shaughnessy: No such estimate has been made.The following table shows the number of prescription items of leuprorelin acetate written in the United Kingdom and dispensed in the community in England, 2017. We do not hold data for Wales. Lupron is the brand name, used in the United States of America, for the chemical leuprorelin acetate. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, leuprorelin is marketed under the brand names Lutrate and Prostap.Chemical NameBrandPresentationItemsLeuprorelin AcetateLutrateLutrate_1 month Depot Inj 3.75mg Vl+Dil182Leuprorelin AcetateLutrateLutrate_3 month Depot Inj 22.5mg Vl+Dil611Leuprorelin AcetateProstapProstap 3_DCS Inj 11.25mg Dil + Pfs150,586Leuprorelin AcetateProstapProstap 3_Depot Inj 11.25mg Vl + Dil Pfs59Leuprorelin AcetateProstapProstap SR_DCS Inj 3.75mg Dil + Pfs41,771Leuprorelin AcetateProstapProstap SR_Inj 3.75mg Vl + Dil Pfs38Leuprorelin AcetateTotalTotal193,247Source: Prescription Cost Analysis

Department for International Development

Jordan: Overseas Aid

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what financial help they intend to offer to Jordan following the restrictions on its supply of natural gas from Egypt and the flows of refugees from Syria and Iraq.

lord bates: The UK has announced £483million of support to Jordan since the start of the Syrian Crisis and until 2020. Our support delivers quality education and economic opportunities for both Jordanians and refugees, and provides life-saving assistance that enables refugees to live in safety and dignity until they are able to eventually return home. At the 2016 London Syria Conference, the UK also played a key role in mobilising $700million international support for an ambitious ‘Jordan Compact’, which aims to promote economic development and opportunities in Jordan to the benefit of Jordanians and Syrian refugees.

Burma: Armed Conflict

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the needs of persecuted and displaced Burmese people in Burma and Bangladesh; and what steps they are taking to address those needs.

lord bates: More than 700,000 Rohingya have fled into Bangladesh since August last year, and urgently need food, shelter, and medical help. Those who have stayed in Burma also need help immediately. The UK is a leading donor to the humanitarian effort in Bangladesh, having committed £129m to help since last August. Our help has ensured that more than 391,000 children under the age of seven have been vaccinated, 450,000 people have benefited from support to make their shelters more resistant to heavy rain, and our aid will ensure 250,000 people will continue to have access to safe water through the rainy season. We are supporting 30 ‘child friendly spaces’ to support children with protective services and psychosocial and psychological support, and 19 women’s centres will offer a safe space, psychosocial support and activities to women and girls. We have also provided £1 million to the Red Cross and £2 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide assistance in northern Rakhine in Burma.

Department for Education

Sex and Relationship Education

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the revised curriculum and draft regulations to introduce statutory relationship education at primary level and sex and relationship education at secondary level into the new curriculum in September.

lord hunt of kings heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the time needed for training teachers to delivereffectively the new curriculum due to be introduced in September.

lord agnew of oulton: The Department for Education recently conducted a thorough engagement process on the scope and content of relationships education and relationships and sex education, and on the status of personal, social, health and economic education. This involved a wide range of interested stakeholders and a public call for evidence, which generated over 23,000 responses.We plan to publish the results of the call for evidence shortly alongside a consultation on draft regulations and associated guidance, before laying the regulations in the House for debate. Following approval of the regulations, schools will be able to make use of the statutory guidance to begin delivery of the new subjects.We are using the evidence gathered from the engagement exercises to determine what resources, training or additional support should be available to teachers in delivering high quality teaching in this area of the curriculum. We will continue to consult on this important issue alongside the draft regulations and guidance.

Department for International Trade

Overseas Trade: Israeli Settlements

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what penalties, if any, are imposed on British businesses who trade with companies based in, or operating from, settlements in the West Bank of Palestine.

baroness fairhead: The UK sets out guidance for British businesses who want to trade with the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) in our Overseas Business Risk guidance, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-business-risk-palestinian-territories/overseas-business-risk-the-occupied-palestinian-territories. While there are no specific restrictions on trade between the UK and the OPTs, we advise British businesses to consider the British Government's view on the illegality of settlements under international law when considering their investments and activities in the region. The UK is strongly opposed to the Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions Movement against Israel. Ultimately is the decision of each individual or company whether to operate in settlements in the OPTs.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017

baroness cumberlege: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 15 May (HL7448), when section 6of the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 will be brought into force.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: Section 6 (Assistance in connection with neighbourhood planning) will be brought into force on 31 July 2018, as set out in the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2018.

Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017

baroness cumberlege: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 15 May (HL7448), when section7 of the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 will be brought into force.

baroness cumberlege: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 15 May (HL7448), when section8(2) of the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 will be brought into force.

baroness cumberlege: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 15 May (HL7448), when sections 18–28 and 31, except section 26(8)(b), of the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 will be brought into force.

baroness cumberlege: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 15 May (HL7448), when sections 39 and 40 of the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 will be brought into force.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: A coming into force date for Section 7; Sections 18 – 31 and Sections 39 and 40 of the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 are yet to be confirmed.A coming into force date for Section 8 (2) (Content of development plan documents) has not yet been confirmed.

Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017

baroness cumberlege: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 15 May (HL7448), when section13 of the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 will be brought into force.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: Section 13 (1), (2) (Statement of community involvement) will be brought into force on 31 July 2018, as set out in the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2018.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the decision of the Welsh Government to ban the use of combustible cladding on high rise residential buildings.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: On 18 June my Department published a consultation on banning the use of combustible materials in the external walls of high-rise residential buildings. This is available (attached) at:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/banning-the-use-of-combustible-materials-in-the-external-walls-of-high-rise-residential-buildingsAs a Devolved Administration the decisions of the Welsh Assembly Government are an issue devolved for their own consideration. 



Consultation document
(PDF Document, 428.9 KB)

Newlon Housing Trust

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the financial viability of Newlon Housing Trust.

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the governance arrangements at One Housing Group.

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment theyhave made of the risk management processes at Howard Cottage housing association.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: Responsibility for the assessment of the governance and financial viability of housing associations - including risk management - lies with the Regulator of Social Housing.Details of the Regulator’s assessment (attached) can be found at :https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-judgements-and-regulatory-notices  



Regulator's assessment
(Excel SpreadSheet, 151.72 KB)

Right to Buy Scheme: Housing Associations

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what the funding arrangements are for the Right to Buy pilot for tenants of housing associations in the Midlands this summer; and how long the pilotwill last.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: In the Autumn Budget 2017 the Chancellor announced funding of £200 million for the Voluntary Right to Buy Midlands pilot, which will be launched this summer. The Government will fund the cost of the discounts, and all sales under the pilot are expected to be completed by March 2020.

Housing Associations: Older People

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the future for specialist housing associations which offer properties for older people.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: The Government is clear that specialist housing associations offering housing for older people play an important role in providing safe, affordable homes that keep people independent for longer. That’s why our Affordable Homes Programme has committed £400 million to build 8,000 new supported homes by 2020, and the Department of Health and Social Care's Care and Support Specialised Housing (CASSH) fund is investing £200 million to build over 6,000 supported homes.

Local Government: Subsidiary Companies

lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what requirements they place on local authorities when appointing the chairs of companies wholly owned by a local authority.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: The Department does not place any requirements on local authorities in the appointment of chairs of local housing companies. This includes consideration of the most appropriate structure and governance arrangements.

Devolution: Lancashire

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress is being made on a devolution deal in Lancashire.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: We are committed to providing clarity across England on what devolution means for different administrations so all authorities operate in a common framework. We are aiming to be able to provide local areas with this clarity on how best to take forward their devolution and local growth ambitions over the coming months.We are pleased that council leaders in Lancashire have been discussing how to collaborate effectively. It is now for the Lancashire councils to consider how and over what area they should collaborate to achieve the best outcomes for their residents. The Government looks forward to hearing more about local progress in due course.

Holiday Accommodation

baroness gardner of parkes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that local authorities are aware which properties in their areas are being offered for short-term or holiday lets.

baroness gardner of parkes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to require local authorities to verify that properties for short-term or holiday lets have a legal right to do so under freehold or leasehold agreements or any other legal restrictions on the use of their properties.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: Individual leases and tenancy agreements are a matter for landlords and tenants. Where permission under the contract is required to sub-let but is not obtained then landlords have legal routes to enforce the contract.Where short term lets breach planning control, responsibility for enforcement lies with local authorities, who already have numerous legislative powers to take action. We do not intend to introduce new legislation to require a short term lets register. Instead, the Government is taking a non-regulatory approach by encouraging the Short Term Accommodation Association to drive up standards and promote best practice in the industry, and to share data on booking with local authorities to aid their enforcement and monitoring functions.

Second Homes: Non-domestic Rates

lord shipley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many second homes which are registered to pay business rates pay nothing because they attract small business rate relief.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: Second Homes are liable for Council Tax. Properties available to let for 140 days or more per year are rated as a self-catering property and valued for business rates. The Valuation Office Agency’s latest statistics show (attached) that there are just over 41,000 non-domestic properties classified as holiday homes as at September 2016.https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/559959/NDR_Reval_Supplementary_Tables.xls



Valuation Office Agency's statistics
(Excel SpreadSheet, 880 KB)

Second Homes: Wales

lord shipley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the requirement in Wales that second homes registered as businesses are let for 70 daysperyear.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: Responsibility for council tax and business rates is delegated to the Welsh Government and it would be for them to make any formal assessment of their policies. However, the Government is aware of the requirements in Wales and will consider those in the context of its own approach to second homes and holiday lets.

Holiday Accommodation: Greater London

lord whitty: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 19 June (HL Deb, cols 1929–31), what steps, if any, they are taking to control the use of short term lets in leaseholder and tenanted premises in London that were originally social housing where the public sector is now the freeholder and where the contract with the tenant or leaseholder proscribes commercial activity.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: Individual leases and tenancy agreements are a matter for landlords and tenants. Landlords should not unreasonably prohibit sub-letting, and the Courts can adjudicate in this matter, taking account of the relevant covenants.Where permission under the contract is required to sub-let but is not obtained, landlords already have legal routes to enforce the contract and the Government has no plans to introduce additional controls.

Ministry of Defence

Middle East: : Armed Forces

lord empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether investigations compliant with Article 2of the European Convention on Human Rights were carried out for all military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan.

earl howe: All Service personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan were repatriated to the United Kingdom and each death was subject to an investigation carried out by a Coroner (or Procurator Fiscal in Scotland). It is for the Coroner to determine the scope of an inquest including the application of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Ministry of Defence fully supports all Coroners inquests.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Dairy Farming

lord jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made, if any, of the size of the dairy herd in England.

lord gardiner of kimble: The size of the dairy herd in England in 2017 was 1.2 million animals. The dairy herd is defined as dairy cows aged two years and over with offspring.

Sheep

lord jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made, if any, of the size of the sheep flock in England.

lord gardiner of kimble: The size of the sheep flock (the total number of sheep and lambs) in England in 2017 was 15.8 million animals.

Livestock Industry

lord jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with representatives of the livestock industry regarding the future of that industry after Brexit.

lord gardiner of kimble: We have strong relationships with representatives from the livestock sector. There are monthly meetings between officials and representatives of the livestock sectors in the Brexit Livestock Group. Ministers also have regular dialogue with industry representatives about future agriculture policy including most recently through a programme of meeting at agricultural shows across the country.

Food: Origin Marking

baroness mcintosh of pickering: To ask Her Majesty's Government what will be the status of the protected geographical designation of origin for UK food products when the UK leaves the EU.

lord gardiner of kimble: The Government recognises the economic and cultural importance of our Geographical Indications (GIs) and is working to ensure that they continue to be protected in the future.   Using powers under the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, we will create UK GI schemes for wines, aromatised wines, spirits and agricultural products and foodstuffs. This will provide UK protection for UK GIs when we leave the EU and ensure that the UK fulfils its obligations under the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. Negotiations on GIs with the EU are continuing and our aim is that all current UK GIs will continue to be protected by the EU’s GI schemes once we have left the EU.

Agriculture

lord empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their timetable for the introduction of a bill on agriculture.

lord gardiner of kimble: As announced in the Queen’s Speech, we intend to introduce a bill on agriculture this session, as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Agriculture: Northern Ireland

lord empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether farmers in Northern Irelandwill continue to receive financial support at current levels until 2024.

lord gardiner of kimble: This Government has made a commitment that the amount we allocate to farming support - in cash terms - will be protected until the end of this Parliament, expected in 2022.   Decisions on future funding arrangements will be taken by the Government drawing on representations from the devolved administrations. We have committed to ensure that all parts of the UK are treated fairly and their individual circumstances are taken into account.

Northern Ireland Office

Visits Abroad: Republic of Ireland

lord kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Secretary of State forNorthern Ireland last visited County Cork in the Republic of Ireland; and, on that visit, whether she was accompanied by staff from the Northern Ireland Office.

lord duncan of springbank: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland last visited County Cork in the Republic of Ireland on Monday 11 June 2018 and was accompanied by staff from the Northern Ireland Office.

Abortion: Northern Ireland

baroness suttie: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to exercise their power under section 26(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to repeal sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 to comply with the UK's obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

lord duncan of springbank: The Government has no plans to amend the law on abortion in either England and Wales or Northern Ireland. Abortion has always been a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. The Government's priority is therefore restoring devolved government, so that the people of Northern Ireland, and locally elected representatives, can decide what is right for Northern Ireland.

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

baroness suttie: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Duncan of Springbank on 9 May (HL7342), on how many occasions the use of the powers in Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 in Northern Ireland resulted in (1) referrals to immigration, HMRC or other agencies, and (2) consequent detentions for immigration, customs or other purposes.

lord duncan of springbank: The answer of 9 May set out the Police Service of Northern Ireland's use of the powers in Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 in each of the past five years. PSNI have confirmed that they do not keep records of any referrals made following Schedule 7 detentions.

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

lord empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatdiscussions they have had with European bodies regarding the application of Article 2of the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to deaths related to terrorism in Northern Ireland.

lord duncan of springbank: The UK Government provides regular updates to the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers on legacy cases in Northern Ireland, most recently on 6 June.

Treasury

Financial Services: Fees and Charges

lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relationship between fees charged by investment management advisers and their performance; and what assessment they have made of the case for an investigation by regulatory authorities into the lack of competition in the investment management market.

lord bates: The FCA conducted a detailed Market Study into the Asset Management sector, which examined the relationship between asset management fees and performance. The FCA found no clear relationship between charges and the gross performance of retail active funds in the UK. The FCA also found some evidence of a negative relationship between net returns and charges. In response to these findings, and to increase overall competition in the sector, the FCA devised a package of remedies. Firstly, they strengthened the duty on fund managers to act in the best interests of investors. Secondly, they introduced a requirement of fund managers to assess whether the charges taken from a fund are justified in the context of the overall value provided by the fund. Thirdly, they introduced requirements to ensure fee transparency and lastly, they formed a working group tasked to consider how to make fund objectives as clear as possible.

Pension Funds

lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government whetherthey will establish requirements for the investment management industry to publish (1) aggregated data on the overall impact of all costs charged on pension funds, and (2) data on compensation, including all bonus details.

lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will instruct regulatory authorities to provide investors and pension holders with full guidance about costs, understanding performance, risks and returns, and the impact of different compensation structures.

lord bates: Since 2015, trustees of defined contribution occupational pension schemes (as well as Independent Governance Committees of workplace personal pensions) have had a duty to assess and report on the costs and charges borne by members and the performance of the default fund. As part of that work, The Pensions Regulator have produced Code of Practice 13 which relates to the Governance and administration of occupational trust-based schemes which provide money purchase benefits and accompanying guidance on investment governance and value for members. This guidance is intended to assist trustees of DC pension schemes overseeing investments, and enable them to satisfy themselves that beneficiaries are receiving value for money. Earlier this year, the FCA introduced new rules for investment managers that provide services to occupational and workplace personal defined contribution schemes, requiring them to disclose investment management charges and transaction costs on request to trustees and Independent Governance Committees. The DWP made regulations to require defined contribution scheme trustees to publish costs and charges borne by members, alongside an illustration of the impact of those costs and charges over time. Trustees must have regard to statutory guidance produced by DWP, in creating and publishing those illustrations. The FCA will consult on equivalent provisions for workplace personal pensions in due course. In defined benefit schemes, it is the employer who bears the cost of the scheme. The Government’s White Paper, ‘Protecting Defined Benefit Pensions’, committed DWP to work with The Pensions Regulator and other parties to consider what more could be done to promote greater transparency of costs and charges in defined benefit schemes to help drive efficiencies. The FCA also conducted a detailed Market Study into the Asset Management sector, which examined the relationship between asset management fees and performance. The FCA found some evidence of a negative relationship between net returns and charges. In response to these findings, and to increase overall competition in the sector, the FCA devised a package of remedies. Firstly, they strengthened the duty on fund managers to act in the best interests of investors. Secondly, they introduced a requirement of fund managers to assess whether the charges taken from a fund are justified in the context of the overall value provided by the fund. Thirdly, they introduced requirements to ensure fee transparency and lastly, they formed a working group tasked to consider how to make fund objectives as clear as possible.

Brexit

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment have they made of the potential Brexit dividend to be gained as a result of leaving the EU.

lord bates: On 18 June, the Prime Minister set out that the NHS in England will receive an increase in funding over the next five years that equates to over £20 billion additional real terms funding a year by 2023-24. As the Prime Minister said, some of the extra funding will come from using the money the UK will no longer spend on our annual membership subscription to the European Union after exit.

NHS: Finance

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their recently announced plan to increase the NHS budget by £20billion by 2023 would require an increase in taxation; and if so, which taxes would be affected.

lord bates: On 18 June, the Prime Minister set out that the NHS in England will receive an increase in funding over the next five years that equates to over £20 billion additional real terms funding a year by 2023-24. We need to ensure we can sustainably fund our NHS and other public services in the future, but we can’t just pass on extra debt to the next generation. So, as the Prime Minister said on 18 June, taxpayers will have to contribute a bit more in a fair and balanced way to support an NHS that we all use. The Chancellor will set out further details in due course.

Economic Growth

lord warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage growth in GDP is forecast currently by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) for each of the next five years; and whether the OBR has forecast any increase in GDP in those years as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

lord bates: The independent Office for Budget Responsibility set out its latest forecast in its March 2018 Economic and Fiscal Outlook. In March the OBR forecasted that growth would be 1.5% in 2018, 1.3% in 2019, 1.3% in 2020, 1.4% in 2021 and 1.5% in 2022. Since the referendum, the OBR have made provisional, “broad brush” assumptions about the impact of EU Exit on the economy.